James h



(No Model.)

J. H. PRINCE.

GOAT, VEST, am.

No 391,556. Patented Oct. 23, 1888.

N. PETERS, Photo-Lilhagnphnr. Washington D. C.

NITED STATES AENT 'iL rrC- JAMES H. PRINCE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COAT, VEST, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,556, dated October23, 1888. Application filed December 20, 1887. Serial No. 258,430. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. PRINCE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coatsand Vests; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a vest provided with my improvement,and Fig. 2 is a front view of a coat having my improvement appliedthereto. Fig. 3 is a front view of a portion of the front springs,a a,provided with devices for fastening or connecting them together, on anenlarged scale.

My invention consists in arranging with the front portion of a coat orin a vest or waistcoat a series of whalebones or springs made of bone,steel, celluloid, or other suitable material in such manner as tosupport the said front and keep it in an extended condition and freefrom wrinkles, notwithstanding the posture of the wearer.

In the drawings, A denotes the vest or coat having secured to the liningof its front, or in pockets secured thereto or to the material of whichthe said front is composed, a series of bones or springs arranged asshown and as hereinafter described. I arrange one near the edge of eachof the laps of the front, as shown at a a, and one under each arm-hole,as seen at b b, and one near the middle of each side of the front, asshown at c in Fig. 2, and I arrange two diagonally and crossing eachother and between the two a b and on each side of the front in manner asshown at (Z d, and I apply one near to and parallel, or about so, to thebottom edge and on each side of the front of the vest, as shown at e.

The object of my invention is to overcome the constant tendency of avest or of a coat when the sides of its front are buttoned or connectedto ride up and wrinkle, while the wearer, particularly when he is aperson of full habit, is in a sitting posture, and by arranging thebones or springs in some or in either of the ways above enumerated, ascircumstances may require,this disagreeable annoyance can be effectuallyobviated.

I am aware that it is not new to apply to ladies wearingapparel bones orsprings to keep the same in place and from wrinkling; but I am not awarethat they have ever been applied to vests or coats for mens or boyswear. In some cases I provide the front springs, or those which are inthe edge of the laps, with devices for connecting them together-'viz.,-

one with studs .9 and the other with clasps It, provided with slots toreceive the studs-so that the opening in the front of the vest or coatcan be closed or the laps secured together without the aid of theordinary buttons and button-holes.

I am further aware that coats, vests. and pants have been stiffened bymeans of a frame of rubber or celluloid, and I make no broad claim to astiffener for clothing. With my invention not only is the coat or veststiffened, butit is given a set and retains its proper shape.

\V hat I claim is- A coat or vest having the springs a a at the front,springs b I) under the arm-holes, springs c c at the bottom, and springsd d crossing diagonally between springs a and b, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. PRINCE.

Witnesses:

FnANoIs hIGhIAIlON, S. N. PIPER.

